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Managing director of Ebono Institute and major sponsor of The Generator, Geoff Ebbs, is running against Kevin Rudd in the seat of Griffith at the next Federal election. By the expression on their faces in this candid shot it looks like a pretty dull campaign. Read on

Biomimicry Wave Energy Device Ready To Leave The Nest

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Biomimicry Wave Energy Device Ready To Leave The Nest

July 1st, 2015 by Tina Casey

A new bio-inspired method of harvesting energy from the ocean has completed its shakedown on land, and now it’s finally ready for its first real test offshore. Called bioWAVE, the wave energy device won’t be venturing too far — Port Fairy in Australia is as far as it’s going — but we can hardly contain our excitement because we’ve been waiting 7 years for this moment.

BioWave wave energy schematic
A Bio-Inspired Wave Energy Device

BioWAVE first crossed CleanTechnica’s radar back in 2008, when we compared the new wave energy concept to kelp.

That might seem a little imaginative considering what the device actually looks like:

BioWave wave energy device

However, kelp is pretty much on the money in terms of biomimicry. The BioWAVE wave energy device was inspired by the way that kelp sways and pivots with the movement of ocean swell waves.

The bioWAVE actually gives you a twofer of potential and kinetic wave energy harvesting.

It consists of an array of floats that rise and fall with the up-and-down surface motion of swells, which accounts for the potential energy. The kinetic energy comes in under the surface, as the floats (or “blades”) sway back and forth.

The prototype pictured above is a 250 kilowatt model designed for operation at 30 meters, as a midway step to developing a one-megawatt commercial version for 40–45 meter depths. The eventual goal is to have entire farms of bioWAVE devices — like beds of kelp — linked together.

bioWave 2012 full res fri from Click2it on Vimeo.

From bioWAVE To Electricity

The tricky part is converting all that motion into electricity. The company behind the wave energy device, BioPower Systems (what else?), developed an on-board power conversion system it calls O-Drive.

As illustrated by the schematic at the top of this article, O-Drive is based on a high-pressure hydraulic fluid system, in which fluid is stored in a bank of accumulators. The accumulators literally accumulate the herky-jerky energy of the wave motion and release it in a steady stream to a hydraulic motor. The motor goes to a generator, and the generator cranks electricity into an undersea cable for transmission to the shore.

To pare down maintenance costs, BioPower has designed the O-Drive converter as a detachable module that can be hauled ashore for servicing.

As for inclement weather, when extreme seas threaten to damage the equipment, the bioWAVE floats are designed to collapse automatically onto the safety of the sea floor.

To get a feel for what’s going to happen when the device is deployed later this year, you can catch the bioWAVE in action on Vimeo.
Whither Wave Energy?

Wave energy is a bit of a risky venture now that offshore wind energy is taking off, but the pursuit is worth it.

One key advantage of wave devices is their relatively low profile above the surface, and in the case of bioWAVE, no profile at all. That provides much more flexibility for site selection than offshore wind turbines, which can easily run into aesthetic obstacles.

In any case, the Australian government has faith. The bioWAVE project is partly supported by the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) and the government of Victoria.

This is a big year for ARENA, which is also behind the unique Perth wave energy project that launched in March.

Here in the US, wave energy is also getting a huge lift from us taxpayers in the form of a public-private shared test bed at Marine Corps Base Hawaii and funding from the Energy Department so group hug.

Follow me on Twitter and Google+.

Images (screenshots): Courtesy of BioPower Systems.

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Tags: Australia, australia wave energy, bio-inspired, biomimcry, BioPower Systems, bioWAVE, Electricity, Port Fairy, united states, US, US wave energy

About the Author

Tina Casey Tina Casey specializes in military and corporate sustainability, advanced technology, emerging materials, biofuels, and water and wastewater issues. Tina’s articles are reposted frequently on Reuters, Scientific American, and many other sites. Views expressed are her own. Follow her on Twitter @TinaMCasey and Google+.

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2 July, 2015

Good news for the Reef! Bill Shorten & Annastacia Palaszczuk

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Good news for the Reef!

Inbox

Bill Shorten & Annastacia Palaszczuk via sendgrid.info

12:23 PM (17 minutes ago)

to me

Inga —

We got some great news from Bonn last night – the World Heritage Committee has upheld their draft decision not to list the Great Barrier Reef as ‘World Heritage In Danger’.

This is a great win for the thousands of people who have worked so hard to bring the Great Barrier Reef back from the brink.

Activists, scientists and members of the community have all played their parts in this achievement. We can all be proud of this outcome. As a party, we can also be proud of the work we’ve done to secure the reef. It was a Federal Labor Government who started all the work that the World Heritage Committee based its decision on, and it’s a State Labor Government that has finished it.

It was Labor that established the $200 million Reef Rescue program, banned dumping of capital dredge spoil in the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area and Appointed Queensland’s first ever Minister dedicated to the Great Barrier Reef. These are just a few of the actions we took. You can watch the rest in this video:

Please share Labor’s great achievements in protecting one of Australia’s – and the world’s – most magnificent natural assets.

The Great Barrier Reef is still under pressure from the impacts of climate change and for as long as Tony Abbott ignores the issue of climate change, the Reef’s health will be threatened. Labor will continue to stand up for the reef.

Regards,
Bill and Annastacia

2 July, 2015

Urgent: PAC to make final approval decision on T4 HUNTER COMMUNITY ENVIRONMENTR CENTRE

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Urgent: PAC to make final approval decision on T4

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Hunter Community Environment Centre

9:42 AM (12 minutes ago)

to me

Hunter Community Environment Centre

Dear Nevile,
On the 13th July, the proposal to build a yet another massive new coal terminal in Newcastle will be before the NSW Planning Assessment Commission (PAC) for the final time.

Last year, we staged the biggest turn-out in NSW history for a PAC Public Hearing, when more than 120 people stood up to tell the Commissioners that T4 has no place in Hunter’s economic future.

Yet despite continuing community opposition and the evidence of unacceptable impacts on community health, the environment and our climate, the State and Commonwealth Governments are poised to give the green light to T4.

Why you should speak at the PAC

The hearing on the 13th July is one of our last remaining opportunities to have input into the planning assessment of this project, and we need your help to make it count. This is the best chance we have left to prevent T4 from getting its approval and a major opportunity to act to protect community health, our environment, our climate and our region.

That’s why we need you to add your voice to the community campaign against the T4 project. The Commissioners need to hear from people who are passionate about the wellbeing of our region and the global environment, and want to work towards a clean energy future. You don’t need to be an expert for your voice to count.

A powerful community presence will ensure that the Commissioners leave knowing that T4 isn’t needed by industry and isn’t wanted by the community. At a time when the rest of the world is rapidly moving away from fossil fuels, the approval of T4 will lock up precious and limited portside land in Newcastle’s port that we could use to transition our economy away from carbon addiction. T4 will facilitate new and expanding coal mines in the Hunter Valley and Gunnedah Basin, like those being pushed at Maules Creek and the one threatening to swallow the township of Bulga. These are the real costs of T4 – destroyed remnant bushland, devoured agricultural land, saline and acidified aquifers, and distressed and displaced communities.

It’s up to us: we need to provide the Commissioners with the evidence and information they need to confidently say ‘NO’ to approval. It’s not just about expert testimony. It’s also about the real stories from people like you who will lose so much if this project goes ahead.

What can you do?

1. Register to speak at the Public Meeting:

Anyone can speak at the Public Meeting. You only need to register with the Commission beforehand, and you will be allowed give a 5-10 minute presentation on your concerns about the proposal. This is one of the few chances that the community has to have input into the T4 planning process. It is vital that we take this opportunity to have our say.

To register, follow the instructions at: http://www.hcec.org.au/t4_determination_pac

2. Make a donation to support the campaign:

We urgently need funds to build the campaign at this pivotal moment. If you can’t come to the Public Meeting, this is the best way to show your support. Click here to make a donation today.

3. Join the public demonstration at the opening of the PAC:

We’ll be holding a vibrant and determined public demonstration to kick off the Public Meeting into T4, and to welcome the Commissioners to Newcastle. Join us at Fort Scratchley at 8am on Monday 13^th July and stand together with people from all across NSW who are speaking up to say no to more coal, more mines, more dust and more pollution. RSVP on Facebook here.

4. Come along to show your support:

PAC Public Meetings are open to the public so everyone is welcome to attend. It is not necessary to register to attend, only those wishing to speak must register.

PLEASE NOTE: In order to speak at the Public Meeting, you MUST register before 1pm on Thursday, 9 July 2015. To register, simply phone: (02) 9383 2112 or email: pac@pac.nsw.gov.au (in your email, you only need to provide your name and phone number so your registration can be confirmed)

If you are keen to speak to the public hearing but need some help, contact John Mackenzie at the Hunter Community Environment Centre on 0405 433 550. You can also come along to our PAC Preparation Workshops, where you’ll have a chance for you to prepare and rehearse your PAC presentation in a supportive environment. A mix of novices and seasoned PAC presenters will be on hand to provide advice and support. Find out about the workshops here.

Presenting at the PAC is a powerful way to act to protect community health, our environment, our climate and the economic future of our region.

We hope you will join us there.

Yours for a healthy planet,
John and Vanessa

for the Coal Terminal Action Group
http://coalterminalactiongroup.nationbuilder.com/

2 July, 2015

GP Tax starts today Plibersek LABOR

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GP Tax starts today

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Tanya Plibersek via sendgrid.info

4:33 PM (12 minutes ago)

to me

Inga —

From today, millions of patients are set to be hit with a GP Tax by stealth, as Tony Abbott’s four year freeze on Medicare rebates begins.

Analysis shows this will amount to around $8.43 for many people, for every visit to the doctor.

This is bad policy – bad for patients and doctors. You have joined with us to fight the Liberals’ attacks on Medicare because we know they have it wrong.

Tony Abbott might not get it, but together we can continue to show the Liberals just how many of us across the country don’t want their $8.43 GP Tax. Can you keep standing up for our universal health care system by sharing this on Facebook?

Quality affordable health care for all Australians will never be safe under Tony Abbott but we can keep showing the Liberals just how strong community support is for our Medicare.

Tony Abbott has broken his promise that the GP Tax is dead, just like his promise before the 2013 election not to cut health. Let’s not give him a free pass on this. Please share the image on Facebook.

Thanks for your support,

Tanya Plibersek
Acting Shadow Minister for Health

1 July, 2015

A new way to get your news get up

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A new way to get your news

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James – GetUp!

10:30 AM (1 minute ago)

to me

Hi NEVILLE,

I’m James, a software developer at GetUp. Usually when you get an email from GetUp, we’re writing to you about one issue. But today I’m hoping to talk to you about something a little different: it’s about how we can work together on every issue.

There’s so much news produced every day, and every news source tells but one part of the story. It’s not always clear what an article means for the issues you care about, or what you can do about it. So we’re creating a mobile app that brings to you the whole state of play, with analysis and campaign insight, super fast. It’s called GetUp Scoop, and it offers you a compact, daily, news briefing using the best news sources available.

Click here to find out more about GetUp Scoop!

Here are some of the great things Scoop allows you to do:

See the top stories of the day in digest form to quickly catch up on the headlines.

Read the day’s most important stories and get analysis from our campaigners on what it means for campaigns and what you can do about it.

Decide what you want to hear about and when you hear about it.

Intrigued? Click here to find out more about GetUp Scoop!

Thanks for all that you do,
James, for the GetUp team

GetUp is an independent, not-for-profit community campaigning group. We use new technology to empower Australians to have their say on important national issues. We receive no political party or government funding, and every campaign we run is entirely supported by voluntary donations. If you’d like to contribute to help fund GetUp’s work, please donate now! To unsubscribe from GetUp, please click here. Our team acknowledges that we meet and work on the land of the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We wish to pay respect to their Elders – past, present and future – and acknowledge the important role all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people continue to play within Australia and the GetUp community.

Authorised by Sam Mclean, Level 14, 338 Pitt Street, Sydney NSW 2000.

1 July, 2015

Thank you for this AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL

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Amnesty International UK <sct@webmail.amnesty.org.uk> Unsubscribe

6:40 AM (2 hours ago)

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You have helped achieve amazing human rights successes in the last three months. Read on to find out how. View this email online

Amnesty International UK

GOOD NEWS

Dear Inga, Six months in and what a year it’s been! With your incredible support we’ve fought against the scrapping of the Human Rights Act, demanded action to stop drownings in the Mediterranean, seen torture survivor Moses Akatugba go from ‘prisoner to conqueror’, and – in a world first – used innovative technology to bring the horror of the devastation in Syria to people on the streets. The news has been particularly hard to watch recently, but there is much to be hopeful for, and so much we should be proud of. Here are just a few reasons why:


When he was 16 Moses Akatugba was accused of stealing mobile phones and tortured until he confessed. He was sentenced to death. Nine years on and he is now a free man – pardoned after more than 50,000 of you demanded his release. In a heartfelt message Moses thanked ‘Amnesty International and their activists for the great support that made me a conqueror in this situation. Amnesty International members and activists are my heroes…I promise to be a Human Rights Activist, to fight for others.’


Thousands of you spoke out against the government’s plan to scrap the Human Rights Act, and they definitely heard you: the planned British Bill of Rights was left out of the Queen’s Speech. Ahead of the speech more than 2,000 of you helped fund newspaper adverts telling the government to save the Act. People power like that can’t be ignored. The say they are still planning to scrap the Act. But we are ready for the fight.


In April, more than 1,000 people fleeing war, persecution and poverty drowned in one week as several overcrowded boats sank in the Mediterranean and Aegean Seas. Thousands of you rallied against this horror and demanded that the EU act. Thanks to that pressure, it finally has. The UK’s HMS Bulwark has since rescued thousands of people. This is great news, but we must keep up the work to ensure life-saving action is sustained.


The journey towards abolition of the death penalty took another great step forward in May when Nebraska became the 19th US state to abolish the cruel and inhuman punishment.


In April, we hosted the next generation of human rights defenders at our annual Youth Awards where we awarded 400 young people from across the UK for their outstanding reporting, photography, song-writing, performing, fundraising and campaigning for human rights.


Last month saw the launch of a ground-breaking project. Using refurbished smartphones and low-tech headsets users are able to explore unique 360-degree images taken by Syrian human rights activists in Aleppo, helping raise awareness and bring home the reality of barrel bomb damage, still denied by the Syrian government.
This is just a taster of what we’ve managed to achieve together in the last three months. Let’s keep up the good work and complete the year the way we started – defiant, united, committed. Thank you so much for all your support. Warmest regards, Kate Allen Director Amnesty International UK